Autism in the brain, region by region
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Brain structure changes in autism, explained
Autistic people have distinct patterns of brain development, which sometimes result in differences in brain structure. Here's what we know about those differences.
![four brain areas marked with flags: Cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201015-BrainStructure844.jpg)
Brain structure changes in autism, explained
Autistic people have distinct patterns of brain development, which sometimes result in differences in brain structure. Here's what we know about those differences.
Brain’s center of automatic body functions has autism links
The brainstem controls such disparate functions as breathing, sensation and sleep — all of which can be altered in autism.
![Illustration showing the human brain made out of flower shapes with the brainstem labeled.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brainstem-844.jpg)
Brain’s center of automatic body functions has autism links
The brainstem controls such disparate functions as breathing, sensation and sleep — all of which can be altered in autism.
Amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, has broad roles in autism
The amygdala has long been a focus of autism research. But its exact role in the condition has been unclear.
![An illustration of the brain shows the amydala highlighted in green among botanical forms that look like neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/202003-Amygdala844.jpg)
Amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, has broad roles in autism
The amygdala has long been a focus of autism research. But its exact role in the condition has been unclear.
How the cerebellum is linked to autism
In this video, professors Sam Wang and Peter Tsai explain the role of the ‘little brain’ in cognition, social skills, emotion control and repetitive behaviors.
How the cerebellum is linked to autism
In this video, professors Sam Wang and Peter Tsai explain the role of the ‘little brain’ in cognition, social skills, emotion control and repetitive behaviors.
Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition
Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.
![Illustration showing the human brain with neurons made out of flower shapes and the cerebellum highlighted in gold and yellow.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200306-Cerebellum-844-copy.jpg)
Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition
Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.
Striatum, the brain’s reward hub, may drive core autism traits
Associated primarily with its role in movement, the striatum may also influence the social difficulties of autistic people.
![brain form in the shape of white flowers on black background with the striatum in red](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20200217-Striatum844.jpg)
Striatum, the brain’s reward hub, may drive core autism traits
Associated primarily with its role in movement, the striatum may also influence the social difficulties of autistic people.
Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players
A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.
Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players
A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.
Brain’s bridge could yield clues to faulty wiring in autism
Decoding distortions in the brain’s largest nerve tract could lay bare basic problems with long-range neural connections in autism.
Brain’s bridge could yield clues to faulty wiring in autism
Decoding distortions in the brain’s largest nerve tract could lay bare basic problems with long-range neural connections in autism.
Memory hub could underlie social, cognitive quirks of autism
The brain's memory center, the hippocampus, may provide clues to features of autism as disparate as personal relationships and decision-making.
Memory hub could underlie social, cognitive quirks of autism
The brain's memory center, the hippocampus, may provide clues to features of autism as disparate as personal relationships and decision-making.
Brain’s social ‘river’ carries clues about autism
Researchers are homing in on the superior temporal sulcus, a groove in the brain that collects social information, as a key player in autism.
Brain’s social ‘river’ carries clues about autism
Researchers are homing in on the superior temporal sulcus, a groove in the brain that collects social information, as a key player in autism.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.